With the start of the 2023 live racing season at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino fast approaching, horsemen planning to compete at the Altoona, Iowa facility this season should take note of a number of important dates and deadlines.
The 2023 live racing season begins on May 12 with Thoroughbred-only racing. There will be 20 days of Thoroughbred-only racing through June 17. The 60-day mixed Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse schedule will take place June 18-September 30.
Dates and deadlines to make note of:
- Stall applications are due back to the racing office by Tuesday, April 4, 2023 for both breeds.
- Prairie Meadows barn area will open on Friday, April 14, 2023 and on-track training begins Sunday, April 16, 2023.
- Quarter Horse connections are reminded that futurity and derby payment schedules begin on April 1, 2023 for the Valley Junction Futurity (GIII), Altoona Derby, Jim Bader Futurity (IA), and Polk County Derby (IA). Sustaining payments for the Prairie Gold Futurity & Derby, Iowa Stallion QH Futurity (IA) & Derby (IA), Hawkeye Futurity (IA) and Cyclone Derby (IA) also come due on April 1, 2023.
- Iowa Festival of Racing is scheduled for July 7, 2023 and July 8, 2023 with a total of eight stakes races worth a total of $1,275,000. The marquee events of the Festival will be the Gr. III $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap, the Gr. III $225,000 Iowa Oaks and the Listed $250,000 Iowa Derby. Free nominations for the Festival of Racing will close on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
- Iowa Classic is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, 2023 with an all-Iowa bred race card filled with stakes races for both breeds that will exceed $1,000,000 in total purses offered.
Live racing will be offered Fridays - Mondays, with post times set for 6:00 p.m. CDT on Fridays and Saturdays, and 4:00 p.m. CDT on Sundays and Mondays. Post times may change for special race days, events, and holidays.
Condition Book #1, stall application, stakes schedules, and training schedule with starting gate hours are currently available online in the Horsemen's Information section of the Prairie Meadows website at https://www.prairiemeadows.com/racing. Book #1 features Thoroughbred race days from May 12-June 5 along with a preview section beginning on page 66 for Quarter Horse race days from June 18-July 3.
Quarter Horse futurity/derby nomination forms, which include payment schedules and general conditions for each race, can be downloaded and printed from the Prairie Meadows website at https://www.prairiemeadows.com/racing in the Horsemen's Information section under Quarter Horse Racing, scrolling down to Quarter Horse Futurity/Derby Nomination Forms & Lists.
For payment questions on the Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity/Derby, Valley Junction Futurity, or Altoona Derby contact Kathy Cunningham at 515-967-1205 or by email at Kathryn.Cunningham@prairiemeadows.com. For payment questions about the Hawkeye Futurity, Cyclone Derby, Iowa Stallion QH Futurity/Derby, Jim Bader Futurity, or Polk County Derby, contact Jim Harvey of the IQHRA at 515-499-0090, or by email at jharvey1347@gmail.com.
Horse health requirements for both breeds and ponies are available on the Prairie Meadows website, on the stall application form, or on page 6 in the condition book. All horses trying to gain access to the barn area will need to comply with these health requirements.
easonal jobs still available in the Racing Department. It is encouraged for anyone with a background in horse racing or working with horses to check out the opportunities to be a part of the pageantry and excitement working in the horse racing industry in Iowa. Positions such as Outrider, Assistant Clocker, Program Production Coordinator, Test Barn Path Rider, Stall Cleaner, and Jockey Room Valet are currently available. Apply online at https://www.prairiemeadows.com/about-us/careers. Click on Job Openings and search for General Application (2023 Live Racing), fill out the online application, and submit.
Another fun-filled action-packed season of racing in Iowa is approaching. To continue receiving information about Prairie Meadows 2023 live horse racing season, visit https://www.prairiemeadows.com/signmeup.
